Ian McKellen Has Finally Read 'Hobbit' Script
And what does he think...?
By Robert Falconer | Monday, November 2, 2009
Everyone expects Ian McKellen to don Gandalf's robes for director Guillermo del Toro's forthcoming Hobbit movies. And, of course, to do that, he needs to read the script to get a sense of just what's expected of his character.And he has. Finally.
Speaking with SCI FI Wire, McKellan — who was predictably circumspect in statements about the story — said that del Toro, along with longtime Lord of the Rings collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, have tailored the script specifically with him in mind.
"As Peter has said, they loved writing Gandalf [for The Hobbit] because they knew who they were writing him for," McKellen told SCI FI Wire last week while promoting AMC's reboot of The Prisoner.
"There are a lot of characters in The Hobbit including, crucially, Bilbo, and they don't know who's going to play Bilbo," McKellen added. "So it's extremely attractive that this part has been written for me. The other Gandalf was written for, well, just as Gandalf. There's lots for me to enjoy, in all sorts of ways. And I couldn't be happier. But I'm sworn to secrecy. I'm not to say anything at all about the script."
McKellan goes on to say that del Toro and Peter Jackson are very much on the same page about the material, so much so it sounds uncanny.
"They are the same person," he said. "They were separated at birth. They're twins. They have the same attitude. Neither likes working in Hollywood. They're both fascinated by fantasy and violence on the screen, and gore, and things that frighten you. They like going into the psyche. They're both brilliant storytellers in very much the same way. And I think the script, because I have read it, plays very much to Guillermo's strengths, as I've seen them. I have seen his other movies and people act very well in them. So I think it's all fine. And Peter will always be there."
Last but not least, McKellen talks about how the character of Gandalf has changed his life, and you can read more about that here.
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